The 2-day and 1-night itinerary to Yen Bai will take you to the vast Mu Cang Chai rice terraces, whether during the ripe rice season or the irrigation period. Additionally, you will explore the high mountains of Yen Bai and visit ancient villages inhabited by ethnic minorities in northern Vietnam, rich in unique culture. If you're still unsure how to plan your 2-day trip to Yen Bai, check out the review from Mr. Opée and his wife below. This beautiful natural destination will surely capture the hearts of travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path adventures in Vietnam.
During our exploration of northern Vietnam, a consultant from the Vietnam travel agency Autour Asia designed a 2-day itinerary to Yen Bai for us, starting from Hanoi. We were particularly excited about visiting the Mu Cang Chai rice terraces. Knowing that September is the harvest season, we hoped to see landscapes as stunning as those we had seen in photos.
Overall, we eagerly anticipated our 2-day trip to Yen Bai. However, due to the limited time, we decided to leave the night before to make the most of our 2 days in Yen Bai.
A brief overview of the 2-day travel itinerary to Yen Bai:
Day 1: Hanoi - Yen Bai - Khau Pha Pass - Tu Le Valley - Mu Cang Chai Rice Terraces
Day 2: Mu Cang Chai - Muong Lo Valley - Nghia Lo Town - Hanoi
On the first day of our 2-day trip to Yen Bai, we arrived in Yen Bai early in the morning, with Khau Pha Pass as our first destination. Known as one of the most winding passes in Vietnam, crossing it requires excellent driving skills. We were fortunate to have found a local driver, which allowed us to enjoy the majestic mountainous landscapes while crossing this pass comfortably. The views were worth it: rice terraces embracing the slopes of Mount Khau Pha, with distant mountain villages.
After crossing the pass, we arrived in Tu Le, a picturesque valley renowned for its terraced rice fields. It was also our first time seeing rice terraces during the golden season, a magnificent work of art crafted by the skilled hands of local farmers. We then climbed Hai Ba Chau Hill to admire a panoramic view of the valley while breathing in the fresh air infused with the fragrance of ripe rice.
Afterward, we had lunch at a local restaurant, savoring specialties like Tu Le sticky rice accompanied by grilled meat, prepared with rice grown directly in the area.
We then continued our journey to Mu Cang Chai, the destination we most anticipated during our 2-day trip to Yen Bai. There, we hiked through vast and stunning rice terraces, just like those in the pictures. We visited the La Pan Tan rice fields, famous for their tray-like terraces. We spent the night in a local homestay in Mu Cang Chai, in a room with a direct view of the beautiful terraced rice fields. Thus ended the first day of our Yen Bai itinerary 2 days.
The last day of our 2-day and 1-night adventure in Yen Bai began with a walk around the Mu Cang Chai rice terraces, where we admired the sun illuminating the golden, ripe rice fields. After breakfast, we left our accommodation to explore the surroundings of Nghia Lo before heading back to Hanoi.
We visited the Muong Lo Valley, home to many farmers of the Black Thai ethnic group. Being one of the largest rice paddies in northern Vietnam, Muong Lo offers majestic natural landscapes, combining wild mountains and the agricultural work of Vietnamese farmers. We were fortunate to visit during the harvest season in Yen Bai, where the golden fields exuded an intoxicating aroma of ripe rice, creating a peaceful and vibrant atmosphere.
After exploring Muong Lo, we headed to Ban Hoc village, inhabited by the Thai ethnic group. We visited traditional stilt houses and watched artisans at work, where the clatter of weaving looms resonated. The warm welcome from the villagers allowed us to taste local specialties, such as rice wine.
Before boarding the bus back to Hanoi, we enjoyed a final meal at a local restaurant, savoring typical dishes that beautifully concluded our 2-day stay in Yen Bai.
In September, we embarked on a trip to weather Yen Bai and a pleasant 2-day stay with beautiful weather. We were delighted by the vast Hoang Su Phi Mu Cang Chai rice terraces, Tu Le, and Muong Lo, especially stunning during the rice harvest season. The temperature was comfortably warm, and we enjoyed sunny days, making our experience in Yen Bai even more enjoyable.
In conclusion, the 2-day travel itinerary in Yen Bai, organized by Mr. Opée, offers a rich experience of cultural and natural discoveries. We were pleased to receive his detailed insights and are happy that his trip went smoothly and memorably. We hope this shared experience will provide useful information for other travelers seeking an authentic adventure in northern Vietnam. For any additional questions, feel free to contact Autour Asia for prompt support.
The best time to visit Yen Bai is during the rice harvest season, which typically occurs from late September to early October.
Nghia Lo, located in Yen Bai, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences.
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